New forum for modular synthesis. Title link takes you there.
Monday, May 08, 2006
An Afternoon with George, James and Greg
Update: George sent me an MP3 of one of our jam sessions and I just put up a post here with details.
George Mattson, creator of the Syntar, invited me, James(Carbon111), and Greg (Alpha Wave Movement) over for an afternoon jam session and get together. We had a great time, and I finally got to see and hear the Syntar along with George's EML semi-modular. We spent most of the afternoon in a "tangerine dream" playing along to Greg's rhythms and a very nice sequence George patched up on the EML. After the session we had some delectable sandwiches and brownies made by George's wife Celeste. Thank you Celeste! We had a great time. Definitely not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Title link takes you to a ton of shots I took and a couple of short AVIs; unfortunately the audio did not come out. George has promised to send us a few mp3 of the session, so I'll put them up when I get them. Apologies for the quality of some of the shots - the room was dimly lit (great atmosphere), but the tranlsation was lost in many of these shots.
That's James in the Green T, George by the EML and Greg up front.
George and Syntar Prototype #2
Syntheasy.com
Title link takes you to Syntheasy.com, home to a few miscellaneous items including MX4 patches, docs on MIDI timing on a Mac, Studio Electronics Omega 8 samples (focused on features), and upgrade tutorials for the Omega 8 and SE1/SE1x (image of an Omega 8 voice board to the left).
Timex Synclair - One Bit Music
via Mister Beep, a site with music created by the Timex 48Kb Synclair and it's beeper. Samples onsite. Watch the volume level. : ) This one via phloem.
Algorithmic Arts
Title link takes you to Algorithmic Arts, makers of some interesting software midi tools including SoftStep, and BankStep sequencers. Two more I need to check out for coming UMPC.
SoftStep (Pink Flamingos!)
BankStep
Update via the comments:
"The most amazing soft sequencer i ever tried. Lots of wicked and unique features. The idea of the bouncing "ball sequencer" recently released as a VSt Plug In originates from Softstep. John Dunn the mastermind of algorithmic arts is a very helpful guy and has a long history as a developer (he did eg the sounds for some old Atari 2600 console games back then)
Softstep is now replaced by Artwonk.
The application has a steap learning curve and might not be suited for beginners, but the online documentation and tutorials are very good.
So, if you have never been satisfied with the features of your standard stepsequncer or ever wanted to turn DNA sequnces or Pitcures in to Midi controllers
give it a go."
SoftStep (Pink Flamingos!)
BankStep
Update via the comments:
"The most amazing soft sequencer i ever tried. Lots of wicked and unique features. The idea of the bouncing "ball sequencer" recently released as a VSt Plug In originates from Softstep. John Dunn the mastermind of algorithmic arts is a very helpful guy and has a long history as a developer (he did eg the sounds for some old Atari 2600 console games back then)
Softstep is now replaced by Artwonk.
The application has a steap learning curve and might not be suited for beginners, but the online documentation and tutorials are very good.
So, if you have never been satisfied with the features of your standard stepsequncer or ever wanted to turn DNA sequnces or Pitcures in to Midi controllers
give it a go."
Aliens Project 360 Take 2
Remember this post? Title link takes you to another Quicktime 360 by the Aliens Project. This one is of thier "Walhalla" modular. Via Digital Music Mag.
Fruity Loops Resource
Editor posted a link to his Fruity Loops Resource, in the comments of this post. What's interesting is that it's a blog! I don't think I've ever seen a resource site dedicated to a given instrument as a blog before. I think it's a great idea as you can subscribe to it and get udpates over time. Pretty cool. BTW, I'm thinking of replacing my Palm running miniMusic with a UMPC/Origami so I have more room and more software to sequence my synths with. Fruity Loops is on my list for it, so this blog will come in handy. Title link takes you there.
A6 Unison Sample
Title link takes you to an A6 unison sample on VSE by Bitexion. The sample is a recreation of a Prophet 5 preset.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
MRP Sequencer
For you lucky Mac users."MRP Sequencer is a software step sequencer conceptually very similar to vintage analogue step sequencers such as the ARP 1601/1603 and Korg SQ10, and recent digitally controlled step sequencers such as the Frostwave Fatcontroller and Colin Fraser's P3.
MRP Sequencer goes a little beyond the feature set of most step sequencers.
sequences of up to 64 steps
track count limited only by processing power
output MIDI port and channel can be set per step
select-modify paradigm enables any set of steps to be affected by editing operations
extensive randomisation/variation functions
graphic user interface
text user interface enables full scripting"
Title link takes you there. Via Jason Proctor on AH.
Update:
Three more for the mac via Chris Muir on AH:
Roll your own in Max:
http://www.cycling74.com/products/maxmsp
Numerology:
http://www.five12.com/index.html
M from Cycling74
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.365211/sc.2/category.24/it.A/id.258/.f
Guitar Through an EMS Synthi AKS
Title link takes you to an 18.8M mp3 of a guitar running through an EMS Synthi AKS, via deb7680 of Chroniques de la Mao. In via the comments section of this post:
"Harghh, I remember when I inject my guitar into my Ems Synthi Aks just for youn this is recorded in live in 1981 (guitar in Ems with ring modulation and RSF and other synth...)"
The Synthi shot to the left is from this post on Chroniques de la Mao. I wonder if this is the same Synthi used in the mp3.
BTW, this is a great showcase of the Synthi. Thanks deb7680!
Update via deb7680 in the comments:
"Thanks Matrixsynth. For you question, the Ems Synthi Aks it's the same. Here, other picture many "machines" in 1981 : www.deb7680.com/photosblog/matos200.jpg
And another sample:
"A voice passed in my Ems Synthi Aks while JP plays a psychedelic melody. Recorded at the time of the same concert of HplanK as "Images Mouvantes" in 1981.
www.deb7680.com/mp3/UnJour.mp3"
DIY cracklebox contact plates - New Flickr Shots
flickr via lukatoyboy. Title link takes you to more.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Clap Trap Fap
This one via Loscha, via this auction.
"Music Aid (Simmons) Claptrap
Super rare and highly collectable. 100% analogue circuitry!
This was made sometime in the 1970s by the company that was to become Simmons (famous for their digital percussion instruments).
I have never actually seen another one of these, and certainly not on ebay. I think Mouse on Mars have one.
Can be triggered from just about anything (see rear panel). I was triggering it from a TR-808 and MPC 3000 no problems.
Please note: it does not do 'realistic' handclaps. It is an analogue machine, so if freaky analogue percussive noises are your bag then this is the box for you. It is capable of all maner of classic Rolandesque snares, crashes etc aswell."
Title of post also curteousy of Loscha. Thanks Loscha!
Electroplankton Fun on YouTube
Bob Cash's Keyboards and Synthesizers
Bob actually sent me an email to let me know he put up some super hi resolution shots of the Oxford Synthesizer Company's OSCar. He said these are "most-likely these pictures are the best most folks will ever get to see of an OSCar." Yep... I think he might be right. These are really nice shots. Title link takes you there, including more shots of his studio and bigger shot of the one in this post. Thanks Bob!
EMS Synthi Hi-Fli Guitar Synth
Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Details:"Legendary and very rare guitar synthesiser, designed by David Cockerell, and launched in 1973. As used by David Gilmour, Steve Hackett, Pete Cosey, and Chemical Brothers, to name a few. Serviced by EMS in Cornwall in 2004, when they fitted the envelope bypass modification. Unfortunately the stand is long gone, but the unit is in good condition (considering it’s age), and full working order. Took me a year to come round to the idea of selling it, but I don’t use it anymore, and this unit doesn’t deserve to end up gathering dust on a shelf. Please contact me if you’ve got any questions."
Via fabmass. Thanks fabmass!
Infant Noise
Looking for an MFB in the US? Infant Noise has 'em. Rumor has it this is Geoff Farr's new distribution channel. He was the US distributor for Waldorf, Access, Cwejman back in the day.
Francios Breant - Credits - New Flickr Shot
flickr by AdamVandenberg. This is the credits to the shot in the last post, done with the Apple II according to the caption. Check out the synth list.Also check out this Dick Hyman Moog album cover.
[AH] Plan B Model10 Polyphonic Envelope
"Yo to all.Over the past few weeks, the EAR consortium folk have been busily developing
a custom performance system for a band some of you may have heard of - their
acronym being very close to the number which falls between 8 and 10.
While this instrument was being conceived, it was obvious that some product
development would be required as essential components from what we
considered to be a complete system were missing from our stable.
Not all of these new devices will be released to market as they are highly
specialized, not so much in function but more due to their
configuration...but many will be released, and I I'm happy to announce that
the first of these - The Plan B Polyphonic Envelope.
Polyphonic? whu?
Go here to have a look:
http://www.ear-group.com/model_10.html
The Model 10 should be available at our dealers in about a month's time,
therebouts.
Keep your eyes on the EAR site over the next couple of weeks as more devices
born from this development effort are brought to market...especially from
the Livewire line.
More Plan B News:
Quick updates on other Plan B new product development efforts - The Model 14
Dual Processor should be available in three or so weeks The PCBs are in, as
are the components, we are waitng for faceplates. The Model 16 Spectral
Multiplexer and Model 23 Analog Shift Register are in the PCB design stage -
prototype designs for both have been finalized. The Model 18 Milton's -
steady progress is being made in the programming - this instrument is on
time for an early summer release - pots and tactile switch have been ordered
(many), with the Model 16 Output Processor will be coming quickly after
that.
Please do not respond to this email directly as I cannot read mail sent to
this account. However, feel free to contact me at the address listed below.
best,
- P
_________________
Peter Grenader
w: http://www.ear-group.com
e: peter[]ear-group.com
p: 818 761 9906"
Friday, May 05, 2006
SynthSpins! on SynthSights
I'm happy to announce that the SynthSights audio blog, SynthSpins! is here.
SynthSights is a mailing list for people that use synthesizers to make music. The interesting spin on the list is that "it's not about the gear." It's a great list with a myriad of discussions on technique, style and well, just about anything as long as it's not about gear.
Not too long ago Jim Aikin, former senior editor of Keyboard magazine, joined the list and asked people what they did to get their music heard. The usual range of replies came back from playing shows to hosting websites with their music. I thought, hmm... This is all great but what will keep people coming back and... what do we all have in common? Then it clicked. Why not have a Synth Sights audio blog or podcast. Members could submit their music with links to their websites and people could subscribe and hear what people on the list are doing. I threw out the idea, people discussed the idea and ultimately we decided to do it. Four of us got together to work on it.
The moderator and owner of the list Cikira directed us, Doug Wyatt of Sonosphere developed the interface and feed for the audio blog, and Paul Maddox of Modulus Electronics, home of the MonoWave, and host of the SynthSights website, revamped the look and feel of the site. Me? I just kind of sat around and said, "uh-huh, yeah, cool... gotta go post something on Matrixsynth!" : ) Well, in truth I did some of the verbiage.
Title link takes you there. When you get there, click on the "Listen to us" link on the left to get to the SynthSpins! audio blog. I've also added it to my blog roll on the right. BTW, don't forget to check out the member pages for some mass gear p*rn.
A Very Old Moog
Update: Looks like it's the Moog System 1.Title link takes you to more shots via Suit & Tie Guy.
Via Suit & Tie Guy on AH:
"so i visited a local college's EM lab tonight because i knew they had an early moog system.
"early" begins to describe it.
it was so old, the mixer and ribbon controller both had perfboard circuits, and the ribbon controller was made from a chuck of Formica tabletop!
now, i know you're probably thinking i'm quite naïve: "whoa hold it there STG, _everyone_ knows the ballsy tone of Keith Emerson's ribbon controller solos was because of the Formica base." but it seemed pretty damn freaky to me at the time. the Dymo legending on the console panel is a nice touch as well.
anyway, here are the pics:
http://www.suitandtieguy.com/sights/050406_bu_moog/
apparently i'll be spending more time with this beat up old bitch of a modular. if anyone wants me to A/B it with my Liberation i'd be happy to do so.
the keyboard acts so stupid on this thing i kind of want to play a solo with it just once so i can mystify everyone as to how i got that crazy sound. the best part is none of the knobs on the keyboard change anything at all.
also: no you are not seeing things, that really is an 18 space moog slant cabinet."
Hmm... Wonder if I beat Analog Industries on this one... : )
Thomas Dolby Live Shot
Just thoght this was a cool shot of Thomas Dolby Live at Joe's Pub in NYC. Title link takes you to the post on Thomas Dolby's blog.
Mimik - Keyboard Cloning Software
Hmm... Open Labs is claiming to be able to clone any synth.
"Open Labs has introduced Mimik, a new keyboard cloning software application that enables users to sample the sounds of virtually any MIDI-enabled keyboard or sound module directly into an Open Labs NeKo or MiKo keyboard station."
Hmm... Sounds like sampling to me.
"Open Labs tell us that, in addition to sampling actual sounds, Mimik can virtually replicate intricate nuances, including keyboard after-touch, at up to 128 velocities, as well as any note range and length, and note-off sound at up to 96 KHz/32 bit samples, in both stereo and mono."
Hmm... Still sounds like sampling to me.
Title link takes you to more on Sonic State. When I first saw this I thought it could be a realization of the PPG Realizer or some sort of resynthesis like the Hartman Neuron. But... It just looks like a sampler with sound editing capabilities. If anyone knows more, please feel free to comment.
"Open Labs has introduced Mimik, a new keyboard cloning software application that enables users to sample the sounds of virtually any MIDI-enabled keyboard or sound module directly into an Open Labs NeKo or MiKo keyboard station."
Hmm... Sounds like sampling to me.
"Open Labs tell us that, in addition to sampling actual sounds, Mimik can virtually replicate intricate nuances, including keyboard after-touch, at up to 128 velocities, as well as any note range and length, and note-off sound at up to 96 KHz/32 bit samples, in both stereo and mono."
Hmm... Still sounds like sampling to me.
Title link takes you to more on Sonic State. When I first saw this I thought it could be a realization of the PPG Realizer or some sort of resynthesis like the Hartman Neuron. But... It just looks like a sampler with sound editing capabilities. If anyone knows more, please feel free to comment.
JP8 CLRTRK - New Flickr Set
flickr by cray5656. Title link takes you to more shots of the Roland Jupiter 8 sent my way via Ross Healy.
Michael Cotton of The Tubes
Title link takes you to the full sized shot. Via Benjamin Ward on AH."I found this nice picture of Michael Cotten and part of his synth
arsenal in the mid-1970's.
For Tubes fans, MC is currently putting together an in-depth
documentary DVD of the Tubes in their halcyon days: http://
www.thetubesproject.com/
Ben
Korg Kornucopia - analogue synthesizers"
Via Chris Muir: "The top row in this picture is a bunch of SMS stuff, some of it custom."
Oberheim Xpander Shots
Title link takes you to shots and an mpeg of the Xpander tuning process pulled from this auction. Via Melissa's Blog.
Yamaha VL1 Demos
Title link takes you to a thread on the-gas-station with a number of Yamaha VL1 demos and thoughts on the synth.
Live Moog Space Jam Part II
"On Friday evening, May 19, starting at 7:00 PM EDST, musicians Jordan
Rudess and Richard Lainhart will perform live in WDFH's Studio 2.
Join us for Moog Space Jam Part II, hosted by Treavor Hastings.
Richard Lainhart and Jordan Rudess will be performing live, chatting,
and bringing along some influential music from their own libraries
for this three hour event.
Jordan is a world-class pianist as well as a highly accomplished
recording artist, composer, producer and performer, and has just
completed a world tour as keyboardist with the progressive rock group
Dream Theater. Richard Lainhart is an award winning composer,
author, and filmmaker. He is no stranger to the WDFH air waves and
has performed his own solo compositions with us several times in the
past. He and Jordan are coming back for their second round of Moog
Space improvisation.
Jordan will be performing on his vintage Moog Model D and Voyager
MiniMoogs, and Richard will be playing Moog virtual instruments
running on laptop and Muse Receptor. This is an event not to be
missed! Tune in at WDFH-FM 90.3 in the Lower Hudson River Valley or
online here at wdfh.org.
To find your local time, go here: http://www.greenwichmeantime.com
--
Richard Lainhart
O-Town Media
rlainhart[]otownmedia.com
http://www.otownmedia.com"
Rudess and Richard Lainhart will perform live in WDFH's Studio 2.
Join us for Moog Space Jam Part II, hosted by Treavor Hastings.
Richard Lainhart and Jordan Rudess will be performing live, chatting,
and bringing along some influential music from their own libraries
for this three hour event.
Jordan is a world-class pianist as well as a highly accomplished
recording artist, composer, producer and performer, and has just
completed a world tour as keyboardist with the progressive rock group
Dream Theater. Richard Lainhart is an award winning composer,
author, and filmmaker. He is no stranger to the WDFH air waves and
has performed his own solo compositions with us several times in the
past. He and Jordan are coming back for their second round of Moog
Space improvisation.
Jordan will be performing on his vintage Moog Model D and Voyager
MiniMoogs, and Richard will be playing Moog virtual instruments
running on laptop and Muse Receptor. This is an event not to be
missed! Tune in at WDFH-FM 90.3 in the Lower Hudson River Valley or
online here at wdfh.org.
To find your local time, go here: http://www.greenwichmeantime.com
--
Richard Lainhart
O-Town Media
rlainhart[]otownmedia.com
http://www.otownmedia.com"
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Marjoriefare - New Flickr Set
Title link takes you to some interesting shots by marjoriefare."for the synth leads in the intro, modulated by the MS20"
Kick Ass Creative Drum Machine Take 2
Title link takes you to a 1.88M mp3 by Microscope. Enjoy... or not. : )
Bananalogue Serge
This one sent my way via bananalogue. "Image of new bananalogue VCS module sitting on a vintage serge modular" via this auction.
There is just something about this shot...
WWAYM NWBass
Free VST Bass synth from WMAYM. Title link takes you there.
Features:
- analogue modelled high quality oscillators with 2 waveforms (saw and square)
- unique filtersound with 3 selectable characteristics
- filter envelope
- velocity sensitive accent
- note slide
- full MIDI controll with MIDI learn function
- interpolated controlls
- parameter finetune via right mouse button
Features:
- analogue modelled high quality oscillators with 2 waveforms (saw and square)
- unique filtersound with 3 selectable characteristics
- filter envelope
- velocity sensitive accent
- note slide
- full MIDI controll with MIDI learn function
- interpolated controlls
- parameter finetune via right mouse button
Memorymoog - New Flickr Set
Title link takes you to a fantasic flickr set of various synths by Jyoti_Mishra.
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
